Miniature air gap inspection device
First Claim
1. A miniature air gap inspection device for inspection of a generator stator and a generator field with the generator field in place, the inspection device passing through a radial air gap between a core iron and a retaining ring of the generator, the inspection device comprising:
- a tractor section having a tractor frame that is selectively attached to the retaining ring for circumferential positioning about the field;
a mast section coupled with the tractor frame and comprising an extendible mast; and
an inspection head coupled with the extendible mast, the inspection head supporting at least one inspection tool for performing in-situ generator inspections.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A miniature air gap inspection device permits in-situ inspection of a generator field and stator core having entrance gaps as little as 0.5" and larger. The inspection device passes through a radial air gap between a core iron and a retaining ring of the generator, and thus, removal of the generator field is not necessary. The device includes a tractor section having a tractor frame attachable to the retaining ring for selective circumferential positioning about the field. A mast section is coupled with the tractor frame and includes an extendible mast. An inspection head is attached to the extendible mast and is axially extended and retracted in the gap by the mast. The inspection head supports at least one inspection tool for performing the in-situ generator inspections.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A miniature air gap inspection device for inspection of a generator stator and a generator field with the generator field in place, the inspection device passing through a radial air gap between a core iron and a retaining ring of the generator, the inspection device comprising:
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a tractor section having a tractor frame that is selectively attached to the retaining ring for circumferential positioning about the field; a mast section coupled with the tractor frame and comprising an extendible mast; and an inspection head coupled with the extendible mast, the inspection head supporting at least one inspection tool for performing in-situ generator inspections. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A miniature air gap inspection device for insertion into a radial air gap between a core iron and a retaining ring of a generator, the miniature air gap inspection device comprising:
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a tractor that is selectively attached to the retaining ring; and an inspection assembly coupled with the tractor, the inspection assembly including a shoe sled and supporting at least one inspection tool for performing in-situ generator inspections, wherein the shoe sled is contractible to fit into the radial air gap. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A miniature air gap inspection device for inspection of a generator stator and a generator field with the generator field in place, the inspection device passing through a radial air gap between a core iron and a retaining ring of the generator, the inspection device comprising:
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a tractor section having a tractor frame attachable to the retaining ring for selective circumferential positioning about the field; a mast section coupled with the tractor frame and comprising an extendible mast; and an inspection head coupled with the extendible mast, the inspection head supporting at least one inspection tool for performing in situ generator inspections, wherein the mast section and the inspection head are sized to fit inside the air gap between the core iron and the retaining ring of the generator, the tractor section positioning the mast section and inspection head in a desired circumferential position within the air gap.
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Specification